LogFAQs > #943021836

I mean, if the bodily norms of one culture are held up as the global image of an ideal body, then it can be seen as one culture's norms dictating the norms of other cultures. The shape of a healthy body can be shaped by the native climate and diet, and the European standard isn't going to apply to every other continent or culture.

Europe already has a history of white supremacy through their centuries of colonisation, pushing the European standard onto other populations through genocide - physically through mass extermination, as well as culturally by suppressing language and culture that doesn't fit the norm of the invading country - so it makes sense that people see the BMI as an expression of that. Unless you meet the standard that was set by a bunch of 19th century Europeans, the modern medical community will consider you to be unhealthy. Considering the baggage that's tied with European norms being shoved into other cultures, you can see why people would question the validity of the BMI when applied to all cultures.

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